Jet Propulsion Laboratory Harvard Business School Case 9-110-031 1.1 Should Gentry Lee recommend launch or delay for the Mars Biological Explorer (MBE) mission? Gentry Lee should recommend the launch for the MBE mission. As stated in the case study, Gentry Lee is introduced to the project with a significant amount of experience working with NASA and interplanetary exploration missions (Kaplan and Mikes, 2010). Multiple review boards took place to discuss in detail the consequences and likelihood of risks occurring. Tiger teams were established to find resolutions to existing problems weeks before the launch date. The case study eludes to a high probability of the budget increasing if the launch is delayed, and the probability the …show more content…
The role of the risk review board was to do a deep dive into critical risks and determine the likelihood and consequence of that risk occurring during the project. The review board is made up of skilled and highly qualified experts, they are tasked to review each risk critically and thoroughly. Although the board was made up of 12 people in JPL, NASA and the main contract, it was the responsibility of the project team engineers to effectively communicate the mitigation strategy for each risk. Kaplan and Mikes (2010) noted in the case study that Lee explained the “engineers have a forest and a tree problem”, making it difficult for them to see beyond the issue in front of them and actually seeing the impact the risk may have on mission success. Because of this, the review board is responsible to challenge, debate and argue over each risk to make sure every possible solution is discussed and the best one is decided to be implemented. 2.2.2 What is the role of risk maps? The role of risk maps are to visually model and communicate the criticality of each risk. It is displayed in a two dimensional map.
With these risks highlighted then reduction of risk, both positive and negative can be identified.
|and reviewed- Risk assessments are made continuously throughout | | | | | | | | | | |
Risk assessment is conducted by people who can assess specific work activities, understand real working procedures, hazards-related activities, activity frequency, risk probability and severity (Reference 2).
Many types of risk are created – risk to the project, to the organization, to the employees involved and to the individuals supporting the change.
4. The Patient Safety Committee will discuss the risk and if appropriate, appoint a risk assessment team to analyze the risk and report their findings at the next Patient Safety Committee meeting.
All risks should be identified on a risk assessment so they can be monitored and review
3.4 Summarise the types of risks that may be involved in assessment in own area of responsibility
3. Develop at least three (3) project risk recommendations based on the analysis from criteria number 1 and 2 of this assignment.
The aim of workplace risk assessments is to identify hazards, evaluate the degree of risk and to put into place control measures to minimise the risk. If the staff team is not involved in the process then they may have little awareness of the hazards and the actions required of them to minimise the risks. This is at odds with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. A risk assessment
Risk assessments are used to identify potential harm to an individual or persons. This identifies the possibility of a hazards and helps to reduce the possibility of harm, they are put in place to safeguard individuals. Risk assessments are reviewed and can be added to or changed if necessary
Risk assessments can help address dilemmas between rights and health and safety concerns by helping reduce any risks created by undergoing certain tasks, risks assessments are not in place to prevent an individual doing things that they want to do, they are in place to concentrate on the risk factors and to look at any other ways to reduce the risk of the task in hand.
3.4 Summarise the types of risks that may be involved in assessment in own area of responsibility
The purpose of risk assessment is not to remove risks, but to take reasonable steps to reduce them. The process involves looking at the risk, and considering what can be done to make it less likely that the risk will develop into a reality. This can be done through implementing policies and codes of practice, acting in individual’s best interests, fostering culture of openness and support being consistent, maintaining professional boundaries and following systems for raising concerns.
“To the moon, Alice” or in this case, Mars. Gentry Lee, senior systems engineer at Jet Propulsion Laboratories (JPL) faced a very difficult decision whether to recommend launching or delay the launch of the Mars Biological Explorer (MBE). According to Lee’s biography at Caltech and the case study, “he is the chief engineer for the Planetary Flight Systems Directorate at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and had engineering oversight responsibility for the twin rover missions to Mars that landed in January 2004, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) in 2006, and the Deep Impact and Stardust missions. He was also the chief engineer for the Galileo project from 1977–1988 and director of science analysis and mission planning during the Viking projects”. Based on what we know about Lee and his life there is no doubt he will recommend launching the MBE. Why? Using a frame’s analysis will help us understand.
Review the risks – the effectiveness of the precautions in place should be checked regularly to ensure that they are sufficient.